7 Yoga Poses That Will Boost Your Immune System

Illnesses like colds and the flu can hit at any time of the year, and while you might be tempted to reach for vitamin C in an attempt to ward off coughing and fever, next time you feel that tell-tale tickle in your throat, roll out your yoga mat instead! Yoga is a great way to boost the respiratory immunity of your body, so we’ve rounded up seven of the best yoga poses to boost your immune system. Combining twists, warming poses and restorative postures, these poses are a great way to ensure you stay healthy.

Slide 1/7 – Legs Up the Wall

A great pose any time you’re feeling drained or tight in the hamstrings, this pose is also a great way to ground the nervous system and manage stress, which, when experienced regularly, is a major contributor to illness. Inversions also help lymph fluid move through the body, which fight infection.

» How to do it:

Step 1: Sit next to the wall with your hip making contact with the wall and your knees bent.

Step 2: Lean into your hands or forearms and swing your legs up the wall. Try to bet your bottom as close to the wall as possible, but making certain to keep your legs relaxed.

Step 3: Extended your arms out by your sides, close your eyes, relax your jaw and breathe. Stay in this pose for as long as comfortable.

Often known as a detox pose, seated spinal twists alternately compress and stretch the torso, increasing circulation to the stomach, kidneys, intestines which stimulates digestion. Digestion, and general gut health are essential for a functioning immune system.

» How to do it:

Step 1: Begin seated on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.

Step 2: Bend your right knee and place your right heel as close to your bottom as you can. Bend your left knee and cross your left foot over your right knee. Plant it on the floor.

Step 3: Reach your left arm behind you and place your palm or fingertips on the floor. Then bend your right elbow and cross it over the outer side of your left knee.

Step 4: Keep your left hand on the floor to stabilize your body. Gaze behind you and over your left shoulder.

Step 5: Stay here for 5-8 breaths. Then release the twist, straighten your legs out in front of you, and perform this pose on the opposite side.

The bread and butter of yoga poses, downward dog is a great way to drain the sinuses, relieving any pressure caused by colds or sinus infections. Downward dog also moves white blood cells throughout your body that help prevent infection.

» How to do it:

Step 1: From standing position, bend over, placing your hands on the floor. Walk your hands out until both your hands and your feet are completely touching the mat. You should resemble a downward “V.”

A great pose any time you want to open up the shoulders and chest, this pose also does wonders for congestion in the lungs and sinuses. Proper alignment is essential in this pose, so ensure you have blocks or pillows to support your shoulders, neck and head to get the most out of this healing pose.

» How to do it:

Step 1: Lie back with a yoga block positioned under your mid-to-upper back. You want your chest lifted and your neck and head drop back comfortably. If dropping your head back is too extreme, practice the modified option (shown above) with your spine, neck and head resting on the full length of a bolster.

Another excellent chest-opener, this pose opens up the thymus, an organ located in the chest responsible for the growth of T-cells, a type of white blood cell essential for supporting the immune system and fighting infection.

Though this pose is usually done at the end of a yoga flow, it’s a great posture to do any time you’re suffering from a headache, exhaustion or sleeplessness, all of which are common with colds and flu. The best part? You can do it in your pajamas!

» How to do it:

Step 1: Lie down on your back. Let the feet fall out to either side. Bring the arms alongside the body, but slightly separated from the body, and turn the palms to face upwards.

Step 2: Relax the whole body, including the face. Let the body feel heavy. Let the breath occur naturally. Lie in this pose for 20 breaths.

Try these yoga poses the next time that pesky flu is going around the office.

» Looking for a way to combat stress? Check out our 6 Yoga Moves to Relieve Stress: